Future of Our Litigation Support Profession: What Lies Ahead? ILTA 09 Conference Litigation Support Peer Group August 25, 2009

Transcription

1 together Future of Our Litigation Support Profession: What Lies Ahead? ILTA 09 Conference Litigation Support Peer Group August 25, 2009

2 Speakers David Cowen President The Cowen Group Ruth C. Hauswirth Director of Practice Services and Professional Development Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Joanne R. Lane Director ediscovery Strategy & Litigation Support MetLife Ellen Jones Polhamus Practice Technology Director Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 2

3 Agenda CHRONOLOGY in the professional evolution TRENDS in the professional evolution SEGMENTS in the professional evolution Technologist Legalist Consultant Executive Leader EVOLVING CAREER OPTIONS INFLUENCES, INSPIRATIONS, and TOOLS Resources Associations Career Ownership Conferences PREDICTIONS 3

4 Chronology Law firms begin to seriously establish in-house ediscovery capabilities Bring in tools and platforms Add headcount, staff, and new positions AmLaw firms have litigation support departments with 20+ staff Growth in ediscovery vendor market 4

5 Chronology Law firms continue and accelerate this trend of in-sourcing AmLaw firms have litigation support departments with 20+ staff Headcount doubles at many firms technology commitments are made Role of the litigation support manager becomes more sophisticated, complicated, and business process focused New leadership roles are established managing up-down and out to clients and vendors Accelerated growth in vendor market Growth of consulting firms, including traditionally in forensic accounting, into fields of discovery and information management A few big corporations are in-sourcing ediscovery 5

6 Chronology Economic meltdown Massive layoffs Vendor contraction and consolidation Corporations are building momentum around in-sourcing ediscovery 6

7 Chronology Most law firms freeze all headcounts including litigation support except when absolutely necessary Top firms with deep litigation practices continue to add litigation support talent Flexible staffing models begin to gain favor for ediscovery and litigation support Corporations accelerate insourcing ediscovery tools and platforms begin to look outside the corporation to add experienced ediscovery talent (legalists, technologists, consultants, executive leaders) With increased in-house expertise, reduced demand for outside consultants for some issues, but continued need for others Sourcing ediscovery requires a deep look at human capital acquisition 7

8 Trends Growing a multi-disciplinary skill set for greater career options Technology and process are changing outside service provider roles Corporations are becoming more proactive Groups are led by legalists (JD) as counsel or advisor and/or groups are led by non-attorney executive leadership Business and operational savvy are viewed as strengths and are highly desirable Software development and product management are great growth paths for technologists 8

9 Trends At first, technology drove increased data volume which drove industry job growth; now, technology is facilitating reduced data volume and thus impacting the number and types of jobs Strategies are needed to make electronic discovery more costeffective; way we ve always done it not good enough Increased importance of roles played in early stages of EDRM information management and prevention of data proliferation Early case assessment and advanced analytics are becoming essential Partnering the human element with technology is key 9

10 Segments technologist legalist consultant executive leader 10

11 Segments technologist Specialist who is trained to perform work in a field of technology; demonstrates knowledge and expertise in areas such as applications, systems, infrastructure, hardware, and/or data management; ranges from theoretical scientist or engineer to operational technician; often possesses formal certification or accreditation. 11

12 Segments legalist Attorney/JD or paralegal with multiple years experience in litigation practice and who understands technology and its impact on business and legal processes; attorneys counsel regarding developing law and regulations related to managing electronically-stored information. 12

13 Segments consultant Professional who provides advice in a given area of expertise; often retained for assignments to supplement client's internal expertise or resources; commonly advises in areas of business management and process analysis. 13

14 Segments executive leader Professional who possesses in-depth business savvy; excels at operations; has achieved a reputation for being a strong manager and people advocate; thrives on strategic planning. 14

15 Evolving Career Options technologist legalist consultant executive leadership 15

16 Evolving Career Options technologist legalist consultant executive leadership 16

17 Influences, Inspirations, and Tools Resources Publications in print and online Websites and Blogs Training (attend and conduct) Associations Peer Learning Meetings/events Listservs Certifications Conferences Attendee Speaker Panel Leader Career Ownership Find a mentor Wisdom reading Commitment to meaningful networking 17

18 Predictions ediscovery attorneys will continue to evolve and take more leadership roles as they gain more experience Executive leadership roles will continue to evolve and expand Demand for technologists will flatten Corporations demand for all talent will increase dramatically over the next two to three years Vendors demand for talent will shrink; need to reinvent themselves Consultants mixed demand; reduced demand for some issues, but continued need for others, especially for unique circumstances and custom solutions 18

19 together Future of Our Litigation Support Profession: What Lies Ahead? ILTA 09 Conference Litigation Support Peer Group August 25, 2009